Battersea Latchmere Leisure Centre Swimming Pool BUG Post Reply

[AMSussams]

Hi,

Last night for a change I decided to go to the Latchmere Leisure Centre for a swim as usually I go to Clapham Manor. OMG it was awful the changing rooms were rusting around the metal parts, the floor was covered in rubbish, dead cochroaches. Errrr!

The Ladies toilets - one was out of order, one looked blocked and the other had urine around the seat. To top it all the Duty Manager was city of the swimming pool instead of a life guard FULLY DRESSED WITH SHOES ON! The staff kept walking in and shouting across the pool at the duty manager.

Then finally the life guard arrived through a tantrum - saying thats it I quit - walking out! MMmmmm. The place is a health risk. My son and husband waited for me upstaris not even for 5 minutes and I was up until 5 this morning whilst my Son, whos 3, throw up. It is now 11am and both my husband and I are starting to feel un well.

The Duty Manager was too busy to see me and so I left a comment in the box for the general manager but not sure when it will be read. Action needs to be take for this and so I have just spoken to someone at Wandsworth Council that deals with these health issues. I just want to let others know who uses the Latchmere Leisure Centre facilities as this is a HEALTH RISK.

Has anyone else had similar experience?

Regards
Alex

[MGMidget]

Yes, my son has thrown up (I was told others who were with him were also unwell afterwards) on one occasion after swimming there. However, if someone enters the pool with the norovirus for example would the chlorine kill it? I don't know the answer. I agree the changing areas aren't always very clean but are any of the other pools any better at busy times? I had concluded that although pretty revolting sometimes it is a hazard you have to accept when using public pools! I am interested to know if anyone knows of pools and changing rooms that are kept nice and clean (and don't require a hefty membership fee?).

[AMSussams]

I usually go to Clapam Manor Leisure Centre - WOW what a difference!! The changing rooms/pool are clean, just go and have a look around! Also it is 60p cheaper than the Latchmere.

[MGMidget]

Thanks AMSussams. I will give it a try!

[abbeville2]

It is shocking. worst part is hoe many school groups use it for swim.

[Pud1]

Um, why is it shocking that schools use a public swimming pool?! Swimming is part of The National a curriculum and a life skill. Where else are they meant to go?!

[abbeville2]

I didn't mean that it was shocking that the kids swim there. I meant that it is shocking how dirty it is and our poor kids have to swim there. Sorry to offend

[nuttymummy]

Was also there yesterday evening & have to say i didn't notice any roaches or condoms - must admit if I had seen them I would have been horrified. I only noticed that there was more chaos than usual round the showers as they're in the process of trying to do them up (needed!). The loo that's out of order has been for weeks so they really need to sort it out! Must also report none of my 3 that were in the pool have come down with anything. Hope your little boy recovers asap.

[Sherlika]

I know this place. It is very dirty and disgusting. I used to swim there, but changed my membership to Chelsea. It is across the bridge, but much cleaner. I also refused to have my son swim there in a school activity.
But I really cannot say how bad the attitude of the staff is. One of them called me a liar to my face when I said that my son had a swim membership in the summer (he swims in Tooting) and I forgot his card. She then said he is not a member. The next day I returned with his card and almost made her swallow. It is a good idea to complain to the council. I will look into that.

[AMSussams]

I have also got a counciler, Jonathon Cook, on the case and he's getting the council department to involved.

[Happymama]

I have not been to the Latchmere since my daughter was 3 and developed a "fungus" on her skin. I can't prove she picked is up at Latchmere but the doctor said that it was very likely that she picked it up from a swimming pool and the only swimming pool we had visited at the time was the Latchmere. We now go to the lovely CLEAN swimming pool on Clapham Manor Street ! The facilities are great at Latchmere - its just a case of someone keeping them clean ! I don't understand how hard that can that be ???

[MGMidget]

If you go to the Latchmere off peak (e.g. early morning) it is often a much nicer experience. It does get very busy there at peak times so it probably is a challenge to keep it clean sometimes and actually some people do leave the loos and changing rooms in a disgusting state! It only takes one or two selfish people...It will be interesting to see though if anything can be done to improve things.

[wendyb]

I haven't been to the Clapham Manor pool and had been unsure whether the pool there was set up for just paddling about with small children - their website refers to a laned pool and a teaching pool so I thought there might not be an area just for splashing about. I assume from the posts here that part of their pool is set up for paddling etc the way it is as the Latchmere?

[abbeville2]

There is definitely space to splash about as the lane swimming is only an hour in the morning, at lunch and in later evening. They don't have slides like latchmere

[Souza]

This is worrying - as others have pointed out - it's a public health hazard - which must be reported to Wandsworth Council for public protection. Let's see what action the council take. Thanks for sharing this info